City Council - Ordinance Committee

Ordinance Committee Minutes December 12, 2022 Members present: Councilor Derby, Councilor Riley Members absent: Councilor Peake Also in Attendance: Councilor Zaret, Councilor Gomez Meeting called to order by Councilor Derby at 6:00 pm 1. Public Speak Time: 2. Approval of meeting notes: We have no meeting minutes to approve, Councilor Riley will have them prepared for next meeting. 3. Continuing Business: a. Vacant Storefront Ordinance A motion was made by Councilor Derby, and Councilor Riley Seconded. Vote: 2-0 approved to send to full council pending a review from the city attorney. b. Revisions to City Ordinances: a. Amend Chapter 6, Section 6-21. Prohibition of Single-Use Plastic Bags and Disposable Food Containers. (Scheduled for public hearing at next Wednesday's city council meeting). b. Add Chapter 6, Section 6-23: Safe & fair access to legally protected. reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare services Councilor Zaret gave an overview of the ordinance amendment language and changes that have been made since the first introduction. Councilor Riley voiced some concerns related to enforcing employees to engage in workplace policies at the local level that could detrimentally affect their employment because of religious objections. Further, he had concerns about litigation against the city of Easthampton. Councilor Zaret indicated that the burden of litigation would fall on the state. Councilor Derby provided a series of scenarios to determine how this ordinance would affect the community and various response processes. He verified the processes of reporting to the state. Public Comment: Bob Sass: Why are we creating duplicity in law when the state has already created laws that seek to prevent law enforcement and other public professionals from interfering with a person’s right to reproductive healthcare?  Judith Cross: Believes the ordinance creates viewpoint and content discrimination by only considering pro-reproductive healthcare advocates in crafting the ordinance. She spoke of constitutional protections to CPCs regarding free speech and religious protection. Deceptive still needs to be defined. Sandra Zieminski: Believes this ordinance is fodder for courts for advocates and adversaries of the ordinance. If the enforcement happens at the state, why interject us into the process and put ourselves at risk? Wouldn't creating campaigns be better if you want to inform the public? It removes the risk of litigation. Pam – 33 Knipfer Avenue: If someone seeks an abortion, does that mean their records are sealed at the state level? What if that person has an infection that needs medical treatment back home in another state? Councilor Derby: This isn’t within the scope of the ordinance. Councilor Derby asked whether the Preamble and Findings belonged in the City’s ordinances. Councilor Zaret felt that establishing the City and State’s interest in this ordinance is pertinent. 4. Other: Next regular meeting will be set in the New Year. Councilor Riley made a motion to adjourn, and Councilor Riley seconded. Vote: 2-0, approved. Meeting adjourned at 7:16 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Councilor Brad Riley Clerk to the Ordinance Committee